SLO County Fishing Report — October 13, 2026
Tuesdaygauge Port San Luis / Morro Bay · NOAA 94121102 water bodies
There is a newer report: SLO County Fishing Report — October 20, 2026 →
Verdicts by place
Morro Bay offshore
Good4–6 ftwater 68°F
Fishable again; NW 10-20 kt this afternoon, seas 4-6 ft
Lake Nacimiento
GoodBass fishing solid, fall feeding patterns
Lopez Lake
GoodBass action steady on shad patterns
Santa Margarita Lake
FairBass fair, fish holding deeper
Tides for the day
| 12:38 AM high | 4.0 ft |
|---|---|
| 5:17 AM low | 2.6 ft |
| 11:29 AM high | 5.6 ft |
| 6:55 PM low | 0.2 ft |
- range
- 5.4 ft
- sunrise
- 7:08 AM
- sunset
- 6:31 PM
Predictions from NOAA Tides & Currents. 14-day calendar →
Bite grid
excellentgoodfairslownoted
| Species | Nacimiento | Morro Bay |
|---|---|---|
| Bass | goodlargemouth · white | not reported |
| Crappie / panfish | good | not reported |
| Rockfish | not reported | good |
| Lingcod | not reported | excellent |
By water
from the reportNot reported.
- Largemouth bass good On topwater and subsurface lures
- White bass Active near shad schools
- Crappie good Near submerged structure
None listed.
- Status Good
Crawdad patterns still work. As the water cools, slow the retrieve. Small swimbaits and spinnerbaits in shad colors are producing.
Marine forecast
seaswindas written in the report
- Today
- seas
- 4–6 ft
- wind
- NW 10–20 kt
this afternoon, light winds this morning
- Tonight
- seas
- 4–6 ft
- wind
- NW 10–20 kt
becoming N 5-10 kt after midnight
- Wednesday
- seas
- 4–5 ft
- wind
- NW 10–20 kt
in the afternoon, N 5-10 kt in the morning
- Thursdaylighter
- seas
- 3–5 ft
- wind
- N 5–10 kt
Full report2 min read ›
The ocean is fishable again after last week's blow.
Conditions Overview
Gentle to fresh northerly breezes hold through the rest of the work week. Seas improve today into Wednesday. A long period southerly swell holds through midweek and eases slowly by the end of the week. It is a much better week for ocean fishing than the last one.
Lake Fishing Reports
Lake Nacimiento
Status: Good
Bass fishing is solid as the fall pattern sets in. As the water cools, fish are more active at midday. The bass are following the shad, so watch for surface activity in the mornings.
What's Biting:
- Largemouth bass: Good on topwater and subsurface lures
- White bass: Active near shad schools
- Crappie: Good near submerged structure
Tips: Crawdad patterns still work. As the water cools, slow the retrieve. Small swimbaits and spinnerbaits in shad colors are producing.
Lopez Lake
Status: Good
Bass action is steady on shad patterns, and most fish are coming off shallow to mid-depth structure.
- Bass: Steady on shad patterns, shallow to mid-depth structure
Tips: Small swimbaits and spinnerbaits for shad-feeding fish. Morning and evening are most productive.
Santa Margarita Lake
Status: Fair
Bass are holding deeper as the water drops. Crappie and catfish pick up at dusk and dawn near submerged timber.
- Bass: Fair, holding deeper as the water cools
Tips: Live bait is working for catfish.
Ocean Fishing - Morro Bay
Status: Good Conditions: Moderate northerly winds, improving seas Water Temp: ~68°F (NDBC 46011, Santa Maria, morning) Wave Height: 4-6 ft (forecast)
Today and Wednesday look like the best days this week to go out.
Current Ocean Data (Buoy 46011 - Santa Maria):
- Wind: NW at 7-9 m/s (15-20 mph)
- Wave Height: 2.2-2.5 m (7-8 ft)
- Wave Period: 8-10 seconds
- Water Temp: 68°F (NDBC 46011, Santa Maria, morning)
- Air Temp: 59-63°F (15-17°C)
Marine Forecast:
- Today: NW 10-20 kt this afternoon, light winds this morning, seas 4-6 ft
- Tonight: NW 10-20 kt, becoming N 5-10 kt after midnight, seas 4-6 ft
- Wednesday: NW 10-20 kt in the afternoon, N 5-10 kt in the morning, seas 4-5 ft
- Thursday: N 5-10 kt, seas 3-5 ft
NWS Los Angeles/Oxnard, zone PZZ645 (Point Piedras Blancas to Point Sal), issued 206 AM PDT Tue Oct 13 2026.
What's Biting:
- Rockfish - Good action over rocky structure (60-150 ft)
- Lingcod - Strong action
Morro Bay Landing (Oct 12): Avenger, 3/4 day, 9 anglers: 54 rockfish, 9 copper rockfish, 6 bocaccio, 6 red rockfish, 3 lingcod. Counts: SportfishingReport.com dock totals, Oct 12.
Tips: Morning trips get the calmest seas before the northerly wind picks up.
Later This Week
Thursday should stay pleasant with light winds. NW winds build Friday, and another front may bring more swell over the weekend.